Orangetown [N.Y.] Democrat Chris Smith believes one way to shrink government costs is to eliminate your own position.

Smith is running for the office of Orangetown receiver of taxes on the plan that he’s the man to help eliminate the position. He is supporting a referendum that residents and town board members are also backing to consolidate the position with the clerk’s office.

Smith said receiver of taxes would probably remain a full-time job for two years before becoming a part-time job and then merging into the clerk’s office. The young “up-and-coming” Democrat noted that in many counties the clerk of the town already is the receiver of taxes and there is no reason Clerk Charlotte Madigan’s office cannot handle it in Orangetown.